Out of State Purchase/So. Calif Registration

[MiniFen]

Anyone purchase a MC out of state, have it shipped home and registered it in California (San Diego area would be better)?

Who did you buy your MC from?
How much to ship it to California?
Any problems registering it?
What state did it come from? Was it CARB approved?

Doing research for my buy!

Thanks in advance -

MiniFen

[brave1]

Well you have all the same questions I have...so hopefully someone see's this thread and helps us out

[dav]

Makes 3 of us. Just placed deoposit with out of state dealer (AZ) for cooper S

[dco43054]

Use the search function for MINI of the Hamptons, or MOTH. There was someone else from socal who recently bought a car and had it shipped.

MINIs are 50 state legal, so no special CARB pieces or adjustments.

There are dealers out there, mainly in the east, that have cars available for immediate delivery at MSRP and can ship and register.

Dave

[dav]

Great site. I ended up leaving a deposit for a Cooper S with Scottsdale Mini for MSRP + $249 "doc fee" (profit). Now waiting for build slot to come open end of August or September. I was told I would be better off waiting for a Sept. or later slot as it would be a 2004 (slight facelift rumor?). Any opinions?

I live in LA, bought my MCS at Mini of Nashville for MSRP and NO wait. I've since sent 3 friends there. Call Kerry Smith, tell him that Geoff Stradling sent you.
Shipping was $1150 in a closed carrier. Registration was normal at the DMV, you just need a smog certificate, so get that done before you go there. Also, there's no way I know to get around CA state sales tax. You pay that at the DMV when you register. Email me directly if you have any other questions.

Geoff
GStrad@sbcglobal.net

[dav]

Thanks Geoff. I learned that Arizona has "reciprical" sales tax with CA; simply get a 30 day temporary AZ tag until registered here in CA. Thanks for Nashville tip. Since my current auto lease (never again!) expires in December, and I want the vehicle built to my exact specifications, I will stay with Scottsdale AZ Mini. Shipping will run around $250 to LA if I decide not to fly in and drive Mini home (proper break-in for engine!). Thanks again for reply. I am sure many other CA Mini Cooper shoppers are doing the same thing until supply catches up with demand.

Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by dav
I learned that Arizona has "reciprical" sales tax with CA; simply get a 30 day temporary AZ tag until registered here in CA.
Dave

It's bassically the same with Tennesee - you sign an 'export' declaration. ie. that you're taking the car out of the state, then simply register it and pay state sales tax in CA.

Write if you have any questions.

[MiniFen]

Thanks for all the information.....and keep it coming. While I still have an Explorer to get rid of I am looking at dealers other than Brecht. I will probably give them once last chance before I order......but from all accounts I have read "out of the San Diego" area is definitely the way to go.

It pays to call around - and frankly it doesn't cost much. I called 15 - 20 dealers, and asked each two questions.
1. Are you selling MCSs at MSRP?
2. What is your wait time?
I got lucky and found the exact car I wanted with zero wait. Someone else had ordered it, but changed their mind.

[OctaneGuy]

For all of you that are purchasing out of state, don't you worry about where you will service the car? Isn't there supposed to be 3 years of free servicing included in the car? Doesn't that pose a problem if you're not buying it locally? I'm still waiting for my MC. =(

The warranty is not from the dealer - it's from MiniUSA. You can take your car to any dealer in the country. Besides, dealers make lots of money from servicing - warranty or not. My understanding that they're happy for the business.

[OctaneGuy]

Hmm, in that case it really shouldn't make any difference whether a customer buys a MINI close to them or not---I mean, there's really no need to buy it from your "local" dealer if there is a better buy elsewhere?

Guess I always wondered what the drawbacks were of buying a car from out of state. Thanks!

[OctaneGuy]

How about insurance? I'm insured on my existing 2 cars, but haven't purchased insurance for my MINI since I don't have it yet. Since I'm flying to Roadshow MINI in Memphis, and driving back, will I need to have my Insurance company add the MINI before I can drive or will I be ok until I get back to CA and register it?

It seems like the protection would be the same as if I rented a car.

I've got AAA and live in Los Angeles, by the way.

Thanks!

I'd call your InsCo and add the car to your policy starting the day you take posession. You wouldn't want any unhappy accidents on the trip, and not be insured. That would not be fun.

When you are going to register it in LA, get the car smogged first. It passes with flying colors, you just need the certificate for the DMV.

Geoff